What does it mean to Occupy?

Americans at least seem interested in the question, as they watch scenes from Occupy movements play out on their computers, TV screens and home turfs. I wanted to hear what local women in the movement were up to, and boy, did I get an earful. “I believe most of our major systems are rigged and flawed to serve the interests of a few,” said Rosetta Star of Rosetta’s Kitchen, when I asked her why she got involved (see story, page 40). As Star reminded me, the most visible players sometimes aren’t the ones doing work that furthers the movement. “If you drive by the protest, you aren’t going to see us. We’re working behind the scenes.” While running her restaurant and raising five children, she’s been sending food to the folks camping out on Asheville streets. She talks up Occupy to other business owners, and she’s working on electing delegates to send to a national rally next summer. No, she’s not camping. But she seems to be occupying something—perhaps a new corner of the political arena that has us all talking about economic justice, freedom and public space.

I love the winter holidays and giving gifts. But since I’ve been pondering economic justice myself, anything I buy this year will be made locally. Franzi Charen, a VERVE cover girl and founder of the Asheville Grown Business Alliance, is encouraging folks to switch their gift-buying to local outlets through the Shift Your Shopping campaign (check out shiftyourshopping.org). One Asheville event that’s a one-stop-shop for handmade goods—many made by area women—is The Big Crafty, at Pack Place on December 4 (see page 16). I’ll be there, looking for the funny, irreverent Asheville blogger and crafter Robin Plemmons. One of her cards reads: “If you’re not laughing, you’re not living.” So true. I hope someone makes you laugh this holiday season. And if Robin made a thank you card (you know it would be funny), I’d send one to every VERVE reader, supporter and contributor. Thank you very much for tuning in. I so enjoy creating the magazine each month and couldn’t do it without your help. See you in the new year.

Happy holidays,

Jess McCuan
jess@vervemag.com